Ipswich schoolgirl wins Diocesan competition

 

Young artist, Isabella Akkan, who attends St John’s CEVA School on Victory Road in Ipswich, designed the card using beautiful vibrant colours and incredible detail to depict the birth of Jesus.

 

The St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese invited church schools to enter the Christmas card competition, to design a card for use across the county during December.

 

Entries came in from pupils aged from six to 11 this term, with children using paints, felt pens and crayons to produce a wide range of images of the Christmas story.

 

The Rt Rev Nigel Stock, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, presented Isabella with her prize, a special copy of the Lion’s Classic Bible, retold by Andrea Skivington who lives in Woodbridge, and beautifully illustrated by Sophy Williams.

 

Bishop Nigel, who made the presentation within the last few days at Bishop’s House, in Park Road, Ipswich, said: “Isabella’s design was really good.

 

“I am always keen to encourage young children to picture the events of our faith. I well remember when I was at primary school I had a teacher, of what was then called scripture, who told us the stories of our Christian faith and asked us to illustrate them. That’s why the stories stuck within our minds.”

 

Jane Sheat, Diocesan Director of Education, said: “Isabella Akkan is the worthy winner of our Diocesan Christmas Card Competition this year. The entries were of a very high standard, and we particularly liked Isabella’s design. Well done to all those who took part, and congratulations to Isabella.”

 

Belinda Harvey, headteacher at St John’s Church school, added: “I am absolutely delighted for Isabella. She is a very talented artist. “

 

It is the second year the diocese has run the competition, which proves popular with school children across the county.